Los Angeles, Oct 15 (PTI) Singer Pharrell Williams has distanced himself from his 2013 single "Blurred Lines", which had provoked a huge controversy for its misogynistic lyrics.

The track was a collaboration between Williams and Robin Thicke. It was slammed by many for its objectionable portrayal of women in the video and some believed it encouraged date rape culture.

In a profile piece with GQ, the 46-year-old musician opened up about the backlash he had received for the song. Williams said initially he was not able to understand the uproar because there were many women who liked the song.

"So when there started to be an issue with it, lyrically, I was, like, 'What are you talking about?' There are women who really like the song and connect to the energy that just gets you up. And I know you want it, women sing those kinds of lyrics all the time. So it's like, 'What's rapey about that?'

"And then I realised that there are men who use that same language when taking advantage of a woman, and it doesn't matter that that's not my behaviour. Or the way I think about things. It just matters how it affects women. And I was like, 'Got it. I get it. Cool'," he said.

Williams said in the aftermath of the backlash, his mind opened up to "what was actually being said in the song and how it could make someone feel". He added that there was also a realisation about "chauvinist culture" in the society.

"Hadn't realised that. Didn't realise that some of my songs catered to that. So that blew my mind," the singer said.